At least five billion passenger records are being accessed by federal agencies through a private airline-owned data broker, expanding the scale of government surveillance far beyond previous estimates
New revelations show that the U.S. government is tapping into a database containing more than five billion airline passenger records, significantly more than earlier reported. The database is maintained by the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), an organization owned by several major U.S. airlines. Through a post-9/11 initiative known as the Travel Intelligence Program (TIP), ARC provides federal agencies with access to this extensive data trove, which is updated daily.
The scale of access was uncovered by investigative outlet 404 Media, which obtained contract documents confirming the U.S. Secret Service alone is paying nearly $885,000 for continued access through 2028. The data includes names, flight itineraries, and financial details sourced from over 12,000 travel agencies that report sales for more than 270 global carriers.
Federal clients and long-term surveillance partnerships
Among the known government clients are Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Marshals Service. Even regulatory bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reportedly have access to the system. Although the data is routed through ARC, contractual terms often prevent agencies from disclosing ARC as the source.
This isn't the first time the airline industry has faced scrutiny over data sharing. Following recommendations from the 1996 White House Commission on Aviation Safety, airlines began using automated passenger screening systems. Over time, programs like CAPPS and Secure Flight emerged, incorporating data mining and risk assessment tools, often triggering public backlash over privacy violations.
While ARC claims to collect data only from travel agency bookings, passengers booking directly with airlines might avoid being included in this system. Still, the expanding partnership between airlines and government agencies raises fresh concerns about transparency and privacy protections in the post-9/11 surveillance landscape.
